In the spirit of the Hakhel year, Bnos Rabbeinu High School of Chicago is offering an innovative program specifically geared for girls who are interested in classes in Yiddishkeit, but currently attend public school. To accommodate the girls’ schedule, the program is held Sunday mornings in the high school. Not only are these students able to develop their connection to Torah, but they have the unique opportunity to interact with the Bnos Rabbeinu students.

For the first session Mrs. Tsyrl Turen, renowned educator and principal of Bnos Rabbeinu High School, gave an inspiring lecture on the history of the world beginning with creation. It was interactive, dramatic and thought provoking, taking their Talmud Torah education to a completely different level. As one girl commented, “I learned something sort of like this in Bible class.” A number of students have enrolled and they are already bringing their friends.

After attending the first class, one of the girls said she was not interested in being so religious. A week later she left saying how much she loved it. She so enjoyed it she even attended an additional class on Monday night.

Mrs Turen commented, “This is such an exciting opportunity to bring hafatza into the high school system. We are seeing teens willing to wake up early Sunday morning, sit in school, learn about Judaism and love it! I think it is also a wonderful opportunity for our girls to get hands on experience in this level of hafatza, as well as to internalize a deeper appreciation for the Yiddishkeit they have.”

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